Kansas City MO vs Springfield IL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Springfield
19.8%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Springfield
2.9%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 113,714 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 40.7 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 4.5% | Kansas City + |
| White | 57.8% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 25.8% | 19.8% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.9% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 3.4% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Springfield
$65,537
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Springfield
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Springfield
35.1%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $65,537 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $41,110 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $68,110 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 16.5% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 35.1% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 344 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1842 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Kansas City +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Springfield
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Springfield
16.7%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Springfield
14.7%
Springfield +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 41.1% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.9% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.7% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.7% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Springfield
37.7 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 37.7 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
Compare More Cities
Kansas City, MO vs New York, NYKansas City, MO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Kansas City, MOHouston, TX vs Kansas City, MOKansas City, MO vs Phoenix, AZKansas City, MO vs Philadelphia, PA